Continuing our series looking at website design, this issue we explore ways to spice up your website using images, color and fonts. Just how much color can your website handle?

In the last issue we looked at the use of white space in creating a web page that was visually appealing. We are often asked to review doula and CBE websites in order to provide feedback on how they look.

When scrolling through a website it is important to have a sense of consistency, where every page feels like part of a whole. Imagine a book where each page had a different typeface, different sized fonts or different colors. It would only take one or two pages before your eyes became tired and you were unable to focus on what you were reading.

One of the most common areas that we comment on is the use of font and color in a website. Generally people use too many fonts on one website. As a general guideline 2-3 fonts is enough for one website. One font for the headings, another for navigation buttons, and a third for the text itself. Every page of the site should use the same fonts and font sizes to ensure a feeling of consistency. Look at the example below. There are five different fonts being used.

We can begin to sharpen up this page by making some minor changes. First we make the fonts consistent, using one font for the heading, one for the navigation links, and one for the text. In this example we have used the same font for the heading and the navigation buttons, but made them different sizes.

Next we look at the images. The grey background on the picture is distracting and adds another unnecessary color to the page. We can remove the grey background in a few seconds on a photo editor program like Photoshop. There are other less expensive photo editors available if cost is an issue for you. We have also cropped the picture tighter so the image is focused on the pregnant woman and not the background.

Next look at the direction the picture is facing. It is a good idea to have pictures looking into the center of the page. When a picture is looking outwards it looks as they the subject of the photo is looking into nothingness.

Finally, we can play around with the colors on the page. Pick up a color in the photos and use that as the color scheme. In this case we have enhanced the pink in the picture of the pregnant woman to make it match the single flower picture, and have then used the hot pink of the flower for the links, changing the rest of the background to a paler shade of pink. Take a look at the edited web page below and see which one you prefer.

Childbirth International is a truly diverse international training organization. With students in 75 countries, from every corner of the globe, we celebrate the differences, similarities and uniqueness of each culture, religion and race. Providing the most comprehensive and flexible training available for birth professionals you can truly make a difference within your community.

Childbirth International offers training programs for Birth Doulas, Postpartum Doulas, Childbirth Educators and Breastfeeding Counselors. We also have an advanced training course available for birth professionals to help you build and grow your business.

For more information on training with Childbirth International, take a look at our website, or contact us.